Newcomb’s book, published in 1901. Both books represented the first introduction
of astrophysics written for high-level readers.
2.5.3 Plan of a New Astronomical Observatory in Taiwan
After returning home in 1907, Ichinohe continued his photometric observations of
variable stars, which were the first astrophysical observations of stars in Japan. For
spectroscopic observations, a sufficiently large telescope was indispensable, so he
began to design the ideal observatory. The basic concepts behind it were as follows:
(i) It should be a modern observatory equipped with a large telescope comparable
to that in the USA.
(ii) It should be located on a high mountain.
(iii) It should be located as far south as possible in Japanese territory.
(iv) It should be a private observatory to ensure freedom of research (Fig. 2.17).
As for potential observatory sites, Ichinohe selected the summit of Mt. Niitaka
(新高山、now Yushan 玉山, 3997-meters above sea level) in Taiwan. At this
juncture of history, Taiwan was under Japanese rule. Ichinohe planned to construct
an observatory equipped with two main telescopes, a 90-cm reflector and an 84-cm
refractor. Under the financial support of Goto Shinpei (後藤新平), who was the
Head of Civilian Affairs of Taiwan and switched jobs in 1907 to become First
Director of the South Manchuria Railway, Ichinohe made two exploratory investigations into the selection of the site near the top of Mt. Niitaka. He decided on two
suitable sites for domes and a main building. In the end, unfortunately, he lost Goto’s
support for the project because of its enormous construction costs. He returned to
Tokyo expecting to meet with investors who would offer financial support for his
Fig. 2.17 Image of main building designed for Mt. Niitaka Observatory (Archive News
No. 35, NAOJ)
40
2 Astronomy from Meiji to Taisho Period 1868–1926
of astrophysics written for high-level readers.
2.5.3 Plan of a New Astronomical Observatory in Taiwan
After returning home in 1907, Ichinohe continued his photometric observations of
variable stars, which were the first astrophysical observations of stars in Japan. For
spectroscopic observations, a sufficiently large telescope was indispensable, so he
began to design the ideal observatory. The basic concepts behind it were as follows:
(i) It should be a modern observatory equipped with a large telescope comparable
to that in the USA.
(ii) It should be located on a high mountain.
(iii) It should be located as far south as possible in Japanese territory.
(iv) It should be a private observatory to ensure freedom of research (Fig. 2.17).
As for potential observatory sites, Ichinohe selected the summit of Mt. Niitaka
(新高山、now Yushan 玉山, 3997-meters above sea level) in Taiwan. At this
juncture of history, Taiwan was under Japanese rule. Ichinohe planned to construct
an observatory equipped with two main telescopes, a 90-cm reflector and an 84-cm
refractor. Under the financial support of Goto Shinpei (後藤新平), who was the
Head of Civilian Affairs of Taiwan and switched jobs in 1907 to become First
Director of the South Manchuria Railway, Ichinohe made two exploratory investigations into the selection of the site near the top of Mt. Niitaka. He decided on two
suitable sites for domes and a main building. In the end, unfortunately, he lost Goto’s
support for the project because of its enormous construction costs. He returned to
Tokyo expecting to meet with investors who would offer financial support for his
Fig. 2.17 Image of main building designed for Mt. Niitaka Observatory (Archive News
No. 35, NAOJ)
40
2 Astronomy from Meiji to Taisho Period 1868–1926